Ogbaru

History

Ogbaru people are farmers as well as known warriors from its history; the Ogbaru people share clan lineage and boundaries with Onitsha People, Oguta people in Imo state, Anioma people in Delta State and Ndoni people in Rivers State.

Economy

Ogbaru has a Nigerian naval base, an industrial river harbor, a refinery, a federal road under-construction leading to Rivers State in Nigeria. Ogbaru is a projected link road to other parts of the southeast and south zones of Nigeria with construction of more inland link roads and the construction of a Second Niger bridge.

Geography

The Ogbaru people consider the Niger-River waters that run through its region as their territorial lands. Ogbaru is surrounded by river Niger to the west, from okpoko town to Ogwu-ikpele boundary with Rivers state (west end) and the Orashi River to the East along Ogwu-aniocha and Osomari forest reserve (east end), Ogbaru boundary with Ihiala and goes up to Okija, Ihiala, Owerri Onitsha road, also borders Ozubulu, Oraifite and Oba to its northeast.

Climate

The shallow depth of the River makes the area subject to frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall in the rainy season which impacts local farms and crops. A major flood in 2018 killed 12 people and polluted nearby rivers. In 2020, a major flood displaced 1000 people and again impacted farms in the region.

2022 Flooding

Main article: 2022 Nigeria floods

The overflow of River Niger and downpour in the past few days fuelled the rise of the water level. Houses, farmlands, markets and business houses have been swallowed by the flood. Flood has taken over places like Ogwu Ikpele, Akili Ogidi, Obeagwe, Ossomala, Umunankwo, Ogbakuba, Ochuche, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ohita, Odekpe, Amiyi, Iyiowa, Ogbeukwu, Okoti, Ochuche Umuodu and parts of Okpoko. Total number of 76 citizens living in flood-ravaged areas Ogbaru were drowned when their boat capsized trying to leave their flooded homes. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ogbaru has the highest number of victims with 286,000 persons. One of the impact of the flood is house collapse causing death in the community.

Education

Secondary schools in Ogbaru Local Government Area include

• Ogbaru High School, Ogbakuba Ideke Grammar Secondary School.

• Odekpe Unity Comprehensive Girls' High School.

• Okpoko Community Boys' Secondary School.

• Okpoko Community Girls' Secondary School.

• Okpoko Community Secondary School.

• Atani Government Technical College.

• OSA Community Secondary School.

• Odekpe Josephine Oduah Memorial Secondary School.

• Akili-Ozizor Anthony Obaze Memorial Community Secondary School, Ochuche Umuodu.

People

Notable people and personalities from Ogbaru include:

• Oseloka H. Obaze, diplomat and author, born in Ochuche Umuodu
• Stella Oduah, Nigerian Senator and former Minister of Aviation, born in Akili-Ozizor
• Omu Okwei, the "Merchant Queen of Osomari", born in the region in 1872
• Oscar N. Onyema, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, from Ogwu-Ikpele
• Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, Igbo highlife musician, born in Atani

References

References

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2. "Anambra North Senatorial District".
3. "Ogbaru Local Government Area".
4. "History".
5. "Our History".
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7. "Ogbaru Local Government Area".
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9. (March 2020). "The Effect of Flood on Land Utilization in Ogbaru L.G.A. of Anambra State". Environmental Review ER.
10. Okafor, Chiamaka. (2023-07-16). "SPECIAL REPORT: After fatal floods in 2022, Anambra community awaits forecasted rains with fear".
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13. (15 October 2022). "Nigeria's Worsening flood Menace". The Sun.
14. (2022-10-04). "Floods: One dies in Anambra building collapse The Nation Newspaper".
15. "Government Secondary Schools in Ogbaru, Anambra State".
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18. (2 February 2012). "Dictionary of African Biography". OUP USA.
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